I'm in dire need of a 2.1 system to my TV. I had pretty much decided on the FX4021 but then I saw that the Altec Lansing FX5021 costs about the same. And now I'm having a real hard time to decide which to get. :P

So if you had to pick one of them, which would it be?

sorry but, did you mean the mx5021? if you did, than definitely the mx5021 if you can get it around the same price. But the Fx4021 is definitely a AMAZING speaker system. just that the Mx5021 is better, and used to be A LOT more expensive than the retail of the current fx4021.

05-03-2008 12:42 PM

Unregistered

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory Buszka

I'd pick the MX5021 system, if they were still available. These speakers were THX-certified, and sounded quite good. However, Altec Lansing hasn't made these speakers for a year or two now, so unless you can find a set on eBay, you might not meet with success.

Thanks for your advice.
Getting a hold of a pair won't be so hard. I live in Sweden and there is quite a few online stores that still have them in stock.

05-02-2008 09:40 PM

Rory Buszka

I'd pick the MX5021 system, if they were still available. These speakers were THX-certified, and sounded quite good. However, Altec Lansing hasn't made these speakers for a year or two now, so unless you can find a set on eBay, you might not meet with success.

Also, to the previous poster -- the bass is the strong point of these speakers, surprisingly clean and deep for a system at this price point. I'm glad you're satisfied.

05-01-2008 07:52 AM

Unregistered

Hi,

I'm in dire need of a 2.1 system to my TV. I had pretty much decided on the FX4021 but then I saw that the Altec Lansing FX5021 costs about the same. And now I'm having a real hard time to decide which to get. :P

So if you had to pick one of them, which would it be?

04-06-2008 01:14 AM

Unregistered

Just Awesome

Hello all,

I just replaced my aging Boston Acoustics MicroMedia 2.1 system with the Altec Lansing FX4021. The Boston's were good, I thought, boy was I wrong. This Altec Lansing FX4021 just rocks. They vibrate the whole house. Considerably louder than the Boston. I got a good deal too. $105 delivered to the house from bpav.com. I handed down the Boston to the kids, so everybody wins.

01-16-2008 10:50 AM

madmat

Yes, that's where you'll connect the speakers. They have a 3.5mm stereo plug.

01-15-2008 10:55 PM

Unregistered

hey everyone. i'm about to purchase the fx4021 but have one question which i can't seem to find the answer. when i purchase them, will i be getting the cable needed to connect it from my laptop to the speakers? my laptop only has one audio-out jack which is where i plug in my headphones. this is the plug i need to use right and the cable i need to connect the comp. and speakers is included???

thanks in advance.

01-09-2008 08:55 AM

eggz2004

what about the Sound Field Xpander Technology™?

Hey guys.
I would like to know if these speakers do a good job on the "sourround sound".
The thing is i want a system that could emulate virtualy the sourround sound like in the 5.1 systems, so i read that Altec Lansing FX4021 has this Sound Field Xpander Technology™...
Does it really do the job??
Thanks in advance

Sorry for my bad english.
Greetings from Portugal!

01-01-2008 11:42 PM

Rory Buszka

Hey, keyboardmessiah,

That's a better topic for a new thread in our Audio forum, since it could bring many other products into the discussion, and we'd like to keep these article discussion threads focused on discussion of the product that was reviewed for the article. However, you've got a great question, that I think deserves some real thought and meaningful discussion. Take a moment and register a forum account, and post your question in a new thread in the 'Audio' forum.

Cheers!

12-31-2007 02:46 PM

keyboardmessiah

help with choosing a 2.1 speaker system

hey guys,

so I got a Macbook Laptop and wanted to know which 2.1 speaker system would probably work the best with it, or generally for around $100-130, which 2.1 speaker system would be the best? I am learning more and more about sound, but am inexperienced in this realm and need so me help....

Thanks!

12-27-2007 07:46 PM

Unregistered

Finally! A place where I can get in an informed opinion on a new set of speakers...

I recently blew out my old ones (they were old, they were bought used, and I used them A LOT). So I delved into the internet search engines to try and come up with a good replacement set. After what seemed like hours and hours of wandering, I finally narrowed it down to three sets: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1; Logitech z-2300; and these Altec Lansing FX4021s, which I happened upon last.

I think I've pretty much disregarded the Klipsch set, both because of the price and the problems reportedly associated with them, most notably the low humming/buzzing sound when there's no audio running through them. Could be a shielding problem, but then I read that the on/off switch was behind the bass, and I don't feel like crawling under my desk as I did with my old set.

I love the idea of the control remote, and since I hadn't yet seen the FX4021s, the z-2300s jumped into the lead. I read a great deal of 'excellent' reviews at different PC mags/retail sites, but with all the company shills, I'm less inclined to take them at their word. Still, besides the 'lacking mid-range' issue (which many reported was easily fixed w/ equalizers found standard on standard music playback software), they seemed to be the best of the bunch for my needs.

Then I came across these, and now I'm stuck between the two. The auxiliary input jack plus the extra wireless remote make up for the lack of reviews I found for the Altec Lansings. I know the Logitechs have more power, which is a comforting thought, but I live in an apartment complex and plan to keep my 'good neighbor' record, so I don't need my speakers to blow out my walls (but I also like having the option to ;P). On the occasions that do call for engulfing sound however, I don't want to worry about horrible distortions. I play the occasional fps, RTS, and MMO games, but it's mainly my eclectic collection of music (which includes practically everything but country, hip-hop, and rap) that would flow through my speakers. Great sounding movies would be a plus also.

So basically, which one do you friendly forum users believe I would benefit from most, since I am looking more for a good sounding set as opposed to a powerful one (though it would be nice if the two weren't mutually exclusive)?

Thank in advance,
Rae

12-17-2007 10:49 PM

Unregistered

Yeh i was also looking at harmon kardon soundsticks, bose companion 3, Klipsch. But I have never been able to hear any of them, I do however have a friend who has a set of these FX4021 and says they have awesome sound. I just wanted to get some extra feedback.

12-17-2007 10:41 PM

Rob Williams

If price isn't really an issue, maybe you could considering bumping up to an even better set of speakers. I can't really speak since I'm no audiophile, but at that price range, there might be far superior speakers for not that much more money.

12-17-2007 10:05 PM

Unregistered

Thanks for the fast reply taterworks, price is not really the issue here. I am upgrading from stock speakers and I would like to have better sound rather than a bargain. This being said would you recommend the FX4021 over the z-2300?

Also I'll mainly be using the speakers for music(trance+hip-hop) and movies(rips)

12-17-2007 10:02 PM

Rory Buszka

The Z-2300 are 'more' speaker for your money. Go with them for now - they'll perform somewhat better (in terms of clean output) thanks to their 8" subwoofer. However, I think the FX4021 speakers have marginally 'better' (smoother, less 'boomy') bass than the Z-2300.

In your situation, I'd have to give the nod to the Z-2300.

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